In a major boost to Bihar’s jaggery sector, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University has been designated as a Centre of Excellence for jaggery at its Sugarcane Research Centre in Pusa, a move expected to strengthen quality production and expand research in the state, Jagran reported.
The Union Government has sanctioned ₹5.69 crore for the initiative, with ₹1.31 crore already released for the first year. The financial support will be used to develop improved research facilities at the centre, which is expected to attract scientists from across India and abroad for training and collaborative studies.
Sugarcane cultivation in the district currently covers 10,248 hectares, producing nearly 7,61,436 tonnes annually. The research centre has developed six sugarcane varieties — CoP 22436, CoP 22437, CoP 22439, CoP 22440, CoP 22441 and CoP 42 — that have received national recognition. Another variety, CoP 18437, has been identified for cultivation in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam. Officials say the new status will help improve the quality of jaggery and strengthen Bihar’s position in the sector.
Director Dr. Devendra Singh said the institute will be upgraded to operate fully as a Centre of Excellence. Modern equipment and improved production methods will be introduced to ensure better-quality jaggery and related products. The centre will also train small entrepreneurs engaged in jaggery-based businesses to help them improve production and secure better returns. Plans are underway to develop jaggery products blended with ingredients such as safed musli, giloy, dry ginger and ashwagandha.
The state government has proposed setting up an international-standard soil testing laboratory at the institute at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore. K. Senthil, Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar’s Sugarcane Industry Department, has requested the construction of a 100-bed hostel equipped with training halls, seminar rooms and catering facilities, with funding to be provided by the state government.
In addition, the university plans to upgrade its tissue culture laboratory to produce five lakh plants annually. It has also been assigned the responsibility of expanding the production of nucleus, breeder and foundation seeds of sugarcane across the state.
